Warrior - Chapter One Hundred and Twelve (One Year Anniversary of Warrior)

As the next few days went on by and Rupam continued to run steady, I was able to bring my focus on Mama's upcoming charity event. Lots of work was being put into this thing, not to mention for the other one as that was being prepped for as well, but the thing that I love about Mama the most is that unlike these dumbass aunties, that are way more focused on the venue and making it pretty and all that other shit so that everyone will talk about it, Mama's top priorities were for the people that the event was about - in this case, the children. It was after all those things were worked out on that she finally focused on the venue and how she wanted it to look, which is the complete opposite of those fuckers.

While that was going on, Arnav was getting more and more down to work, especially with the show coming up. Most of his time and focus went to that, but when he needed a distraction, this gal was ready to help cause I mean why not? When I needed it, he provided, so it's only natural that I'd return the favor.

But, me being me, I'm like a drug, and it was obvious that Arnav was getting a little too hooked. So unfortunately for him, I would leave the room to let him focus, just like he had done for me. Today was one of those days as well, so I had to leave poor Arnav behind, as well as my poor Leviathan.

I know he love his snuggle blanket, and she loves him in return - but we can't always have what we want, that's called being spoiled.

As I headed down the hallway, I caught Akash.

"Oh hey Bhabi," he grinned.

"What's up Akash? You seem to be in a good mood."

"I'm finally done with all of the editing of the footage for the Academy."

"Oh damn, that took some time."

"Yeah, I also had another project so I was splitting my time between the two. Not only that, but I was getting your performance ready as well," and there was a ghost of a smile.

No! "Wait, you mean...?"

"That your video is ready? Yes indeed," he grinned proudly.

Shit-!

"And Pari Ma was absolutely over the moon when I told her."

What?! "You told her before you told me," I nearly hissed.

Akash held his hands up. "Pari Ma made me swear that I'd tell her first when it was ready, I can't go back on that."

Dammit Mama! Way to be a sly fox!

"Everyone else is excited, too."

"Of course everyone else fucking knows," I muttered as I scowled.

Akash chuckled in return. "I've got a few things this week so I'll be busy, but I will be presenting it Friday."

"You make it sound like it's some fucking movie premiere," I continued to scowl, crossing my arms.

Again the man chuckled. "I guess- oh! Payal wanted to see it, too, so she'll be coming over as well."

Oh? "Really? Squirt hasn't mentioned anything to me."

"You know she told me that you'd make a face when I told you about it," he smirked.

"What face," I asked, completely expressionless. 

"This one, the pokerface."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Trust me, I fucking do.

"If you say so Bhabi, but yeah, the premiere is on Friday."

Fuck!

"Till then, have fun," he waved, and he headed off to his room.

This fucking- oh! All these Raizada's and their Raizada charm! Especially these men-!

Oh! Which reminds me....

Heading to the stairs, I went down and headed to the kitchen. The workers were working away and I went out to the back, looking around. The place is absolutely ginormous, which obviously is the fucking case given the museum it belongs to. However, I didn't need to see all of it now, just simply head to the basketball court. And as I had expected, I found my missing devar, NK, who had just thrown the ball into the hoop.

"I thought I'd find you here," I said, making my presence known.

NK immediately paused and looked back at me, the man covered in sweat, as the ball bounced around behind him, then rolled away.

"Are you gonna run off," I asked, tilting my head.

NK didn't say anything, looking down at the ground. "Bhabi-"

"Don't bother, it's not like I haven't noticed how you stay away like I've got some disease."

His eyes immediately widened. "No-"

"It's okay, I know it's nothing like that," I waved. "You just still feel guilty."

He pursed his lips together and looked down at the ground.

"NK how many times do I - or Arnav, for that matter - have to tell you that you're not responsible for what happened that night?"

Seriously, NK has been avoiding me like the plague ever since my last episode. It's crystal clear in his eyes that he still feels guilty over what happened that night, and truly, it's not his fault but of my own trauma.

Fuck that shit, it's his fault.

"I just... seeing the way you had reacted and ran away, I- it just...."

It was clear that he was struggling for words, so I walked over to him. "Look at me."

NK glanced up at me but quickly looked away.

"Look me straight in the eyes, NK."

Hearing my strict tone, NK did as I said, gulping down his nerves.

"Stop holding yourself responsible, I mean it. There's one person to blame - only one person to blame. And that is not you, okay? So stop it with this fucking bullshit nonsense."

His eyes slightly widened as he looked at me in shock.

"I mean it; stop it with this shit. Or do I need to throw the basketball at your fucking face to make you get it," I blinked.

"N-no ma'am," he immediately said.

A smile took over my face. "Wonderful! I'm glad we could come to this conclusion together."

"Uh-"

"I better head back in, you enjoy playing around or whatever it is that you're doing."

NK could only hum and I turned away to leave when something crossed my mind. "NK?"

He immediately paused and looked at me.

"Didn't you just graduate in June?"

"Yeah, I did."

"And you're not working?"

Both baby sis and NK graduated earlier this year. Sure, squirt is a year older but squirt's program required an extra year, which is why these two graduated basically at the same time.

"I am," he frowned slightly.

Huh? "Since when?"

"Um, always," he chuckled sheepishly.

Uh... "How? You're always home."

"Come on Bhabi, that's such a boomer thing to say," and there was a ghost of a smile on his face.

I couldn't help but to roll my eyes. "You know what I mean."

NK chuckled in return. "I'm a streamer," he finally said.

Well this is news. "Really?"

"Have been since I was 15; my parents didn't understand it at first, but Nanav and Akash had my back so I was able to keep doing it and have been ever since."

"Hmm, so almost six years," I calculated.

"Yeah, pretty much."

"And where do you stream from?"

"My room."

What the fuck? "Have I seriously never been in your room before?"

NK tilted his head as he looked up in thought. "Now that you mention it... no, I don't think you have."

Well I guess given everything, it's really no surprise. "I'll definitely have to check out the setup. Just make sure you stop avoiding me."

"Yes ma'am," he quickly replied.

I simply hummed in return and headed back towards the house.

Well, this is quite interesting - I've learned yet another thing about another member of this family. Before I never would've given a fuck but now... now I'm not sure how I feel. Sure, I've given a chance to mine and Arnav's relationship, which clearly has been going fucking amazing, but as for the rest... I mean I've accepted them, I call them accordingly by their relation now, so that's definitely a step in the right direction. But have I given them much time? Do I need to? I mean if I've accepted Arnav, then only naturally everything else with everyone else will fall into place accordingly, right? I'm not against it, so....

Looking up, I looked at the grand mansion before me - the place I once considered as just a museum, home of the Raizada's.

...maybe it's time I start accepting it, myself.